President Mnangagwa Mourns Ally Wicknell Chivayo, Wife, And Three Others After Fatal Helicopter Crash…Family “Numb And In Grief”

HARARE — President Emmerson Mnangagwa has expressed deep shock and sorrow following the sudden death of his close ally and prominent businessman, Sir Wicknell Chivayo, who died alongside his wife, Lucy Muteke, and three others in a tragic helicopter crash near Marondera on Wednesday.

The catastrophic accident occurred around 5:00 PM approximately 80 kilometers east of Harare as the aircraft was traveling from Chivayo’s ancestral home in Gandami, Chikomba, where he had been inspecting ongoing construction work. The helicopter suffered a sudden loss of altitude, crashing into a wooded area at Kudenga Farm and bursting into flames, leaving no survivors.

In an official statement released by the government, President Mnangagwa declared that the nation has been left “numb and in deep shock” by the tragic loss.

The President revealed that he had met with Chivayo just a day before the tragedy, noting that the late businessman had shared ambitious plans aimed at improving the lives of war veterans and disadvantaged communities.

“He embodied the Second Republic’s ethos of indigenous enterprise tempered with a human face, an admirable legacy which is sure to inspire a generation,” President Mnangagwa said. “Tellingly, the Chivayos lost their lives on their way back from Gandami in rural Chikomba where they were putting up modern family and community structures, all in line with our policy on rural development.”

Extending his condolences to the bereaved families, President Mnangagwa added: “We mourn with and stand by them in this hour of deep, inconsolable grief and pain. May the bereaved families find solace and comfort in the great and distinguished work and service which the dear departed rendered to our Nation.”

Authorities and aviation experts maintain a strict cordon around the Marondera crash site as forensic investigations into the cause of the disaster continue.